Wakulla State Forest Brochure
STATE FOREST SPOTLIGHT
Things to Know When Visiting Florida’s State Forests
Groundwater Recharge Area Located just south of Tallahassee, Wakulla State Forest consists of approximately 4,900 acres in northern Wakulla County and southern Leon County. The forest is part of the watershed groundwater recharge area for Wakulla Springs, one of the largest single vent freshwater springs in the world. Wakulla State Forest is composed of three tracts. The main body of the forest is located in the northeastern portion of Wakulla County, approximately five miles northeast of Crawfordville and six miles south of Tallahassee city limits. The Woodville Tract of Wakulla State Forest is just north of the Town of Woodville and 1.5 miles south of Tallahassee city limits. The third tract, of 679 acres, was recently purchased in Leon County within the Wakulla Spring’s protection zone.
In keeping with its mission to protect and manage Florida’s forest resources for the present and future enjoyment of all Floridians, the Florida Forest Service (FFS) has developed rules which apply to all visitors to Wakulla State Forest. Some of the more important rules are: •
Please take all garbage with you when you leave. Containers are not provided on the forest. FFS requires a daily-use fee or annual pass for recreational use where posted.
•
Recreational activities are welcome on open roads and trails not posted “Closed To Public Access”.
•
FFS management plans include prescribed burning most months of the year. For personal safety reasons, area users should contact FFS at (850)681-5950 for information and location of active prescribed burn areas.
•
All Terrain Vehicles, Off Highway Motorcycles, and other unlicensed vehicles are not allowed on the forest.
•
Hunting or taking of wildlife or fish is permitted during the open hunting and fishing seasons and in accordance with the Wakulla Wildlife Management Area Brochure, the Florida Hunting regulations handbook, and the Florida Freshwater Fishing Regulations Summary.
•
Please do not obstruct gates, roads, or firelines.
Love the state forests? So do we! The Friends of Florida State Forests is a directsupport organization of the Florida Forest Service dedicated to ensuring Florida’s state forests are available for future generations to enjoy. Make a difference by joining today to help prtotect Florida’s forests. Membership dues go to the forests for conservation and improvement projects. To join Friends or for more information, visit:
www.FloridaStateForests.org.
For more information, visit:
www.FloridaForestService.com DACS-P-01609 Rev. 10-2016
Florida Forest Service
Wakulla State Forest
Natural Resources
History
The initial purchase of 1,431 acres for the Wakulla State Forest was completed in 1999. Since then, four additional parcels totaling 4,286 acres have been purchased. The Woodville State Forest, originally acquired by the 1946 Tax Deed, was renamed in 2002 as the Woodville Tract and included as part of the Wakulla State Forest. The Eight Mile Tract, formally known as the Chason Tract was acquired in 2013. The Tract is named after Eight Mile Pond which is north of the property. This tract consists of 679 acres which is now part of the Wakulla State Forest.
Wakulla State Forest is comprised of a variety of forest cover types. Ecosystem restoration activities on Wakulla State Forest involve converting current pine plantations back into historical forest types including; longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystems, mixed hardwood/pine forest, and upland hardwood forest.
Upland pine stand
State funds used to acquire Wakulla State Forest include Conservation and Recreation Lands/ Preservation 2000 Funds and Florida Forever Funds .In the past, the primary objective for the majority of the acreage was to grow timber. The primary purpose of acquisition by the State of Florida was to preserve the quality of Wakulla Springs by protecting the land above the ground conduits that supply the springs. Since assuming management of Wakulla State Forest, the Florida Forest Service has emphasized the protection of Wakulla Springs water quality, ecosystem restoration and outdoor recreation.
Cypress pond on Woodville Tract
Forestry
Timber management practices on Wakulla State Forest are important to the restoration and maintenance of forest ecosystems and provide a variety of socio-economic benefits to Floridians. Harvesting activities follow the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services guide to Silviculture Best Management Practices (BMPs). Often tree planting occurs after a site has been harvested. Reforestation efforts provide a continuous supply of wood products, aid in converting pine plantations into their natural community types, and enhance wildlife habitat.
Picnic pavillion at main trailhead
For more information contact: Wakulla State Forest Headquarters 3674 Bloxham Cutoff Road, Crawfordville, Florida 32327 (850) 421-3101 www.FloridaForestService.com
Wakulla State Forest provides a habitat to a number of different species of wildlife. These species include; gopher tortoise, red shouldered hawk, bobcat, bald eagle, rabbit, coyote, white tailed deer, fox squirrel, and bobwhite quail. Natural communities consist of upland pine-hardwood forest, dome swamp, depressional marsh, and sandhill. An outstanding example of the sandhill community is located on the Woodville Tract of Wakulla State Forest. McBride Slough is the major watershed drain through the forest. It combines with two small springs then flows under State Road 267 and joins the Wakulla River in just over a mile.
Recreation
Wakulla State Forest offers recreational opportunities such as hiking, bird watching, hunting, biking, and horseback riding, utilizing service roads and trails. The Wakulla Tract features a designated Trailwalker and Trailtrotter trails. The Nemours Hiking Trail is a 1.75 mile trail that traverses through a mixed pine/hardwood forest, pine plantation, wildlife openings, and hardwood slough. The Double Springs Multi-Use Trail is 4.5 miles in length. Riders and hikers can expect an amazing trail that will include low water crossings, inclines, and winding trails. For information on the general recreation fees or purchasing an annual pass contact the forest field office at 850-681-5950 or www.floridastateforests.org. We encourage nonhunting recreationists to check WMA regulations and season dates before visiting Wakulla State Forest during hunting season.
Things to Know When Visiting Florida’s State Forests
Groundwater Recharge Area Located just south of Tallahassee, Wakulla State Forest consists of approximately 4,900 acres in northern Wakulla County and southern Leon County. The forest is part of the watershed groundwater recharge area for Wakulla Springs, one of the largest single vent freshwater springs in the world. Wakulla State Forest is composed of three tracts. The main body of the forest is located in the northeastern portion of Wakulla County, approximately five miles northeast of Crawfordville and six miles south of Tallahassee city limits. The Woodville Tract of Wakulla State Forest is just north of the Town of Woodville and 1.5 miles south of Tallahassee city limits. The third tract, of 679 acres, was recently purchased in Leon County within the Wakulla Spring’s protection zone.
In keeping with its mission to protect and manage Florida’s forest resources for the present and future enjoyment of all Floridians, the Florida Forest Service (FFS) has developed rules which apply to all visitors to Wakulla State Forest. Some of the more important rules are: •
Please take all garbage with you when you leave. Containers are not provided on the forest. FFS requires a daily-use fee or annual pass for recreational use where posted.
•
Recreational activities are welcome on open roads and trails not posted “Closed To Public Access”.
•
FFS management plans include prescribed burning most months of the year. For personal safety reasons, area users should contact FFS at (850)681-5950 for information and location of active prescribed burn areas.
•
All Terrain Vehicles, Off Highway Motorcycles, and other unlicensed vehicles are not allowed on the forest.
•
Hunting or taking of wildlife or fish is permitted during the open hunting and fishing seasons and in accordance with the Wakulla Wildlife Management Area Brochure, the Florida Hunting regulations handbook, and the Florida Freshwater Fishing Regulations Summary.
•
Please do not obstruct gates, roads, or firelines.
Love the state forests? So do we! The Friends of Florida State Forests is a directsupport organization of the Florida Forest Service dedicated to ensuring Florida’s state forests are available for future generations to enjoy. Make a difference by joining today to help prtotect Florida’s forests. Membership dues go to the forests for conservation and improvement projects. To join Friends or for more information, visit:
www.FloridaStateForests.org.
For more information, visit:
www.FloridaForestService.com DACS-P-01609 Rev. 10-2016
Florida Forest Service
Wakulla State Forest
Natural Resources
History
The initial purchase of 1,431 acres for the Wakulla State Forest was completed in 1999. Since then, four additional parcels totaling 4,286 acres have been purchased. The Woodville State Forest, originally acquired by the 1946 Tax Deed, was renamed in 2002 as the Woodville Tract and included as part of the Wakulla State Forest. The Eight Mile Tract, formally known as the Chason Tract was acquired in 2013. The Tract is named after Eight Mile Pond which is north of the property. This tract consists of 679 acres which is now part of the Wakulla State Forest.
Wakulla State Forest is comprised of a variety of forest cover types. Ecosystem restoration activities on Wakulla State Forest involve converting current pine plantations back into historical forest types including; longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystems, mixed hardwood/pine forest, and upland hardwood forest.
Upland pine stand
State funds used to acquire Wakulla State Forest include Conservation and Recreation Lands/ Preservation 2000 Funds and Florida Forever Funds .In the past, the primary objective for the majority of the acreage was to grow timber. The primary purpose of acquisition by the State of Florida was to preserve the quality of Wakulla Springs by protecting the land above the ground conduits that supply the springs. Since assuming management of Wakulla State Forest, the Florida Forest Service has emphasized the protection of Wakulla Springs water quality, ecosystem restoration and outdoor recreation.
Cypress pond on Woodville Tract
Forestry
Timber management practices on Wakulla State Forest are important to the restoration and maintenance of forest ecosystems and provide a variety of socio-economic benefits to Floridians. Harvesting activities follow the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services guide to Silviculture Best Management Practices (BMPs). Often tree planting occurs after a site has been harvested. Reforestation efforts provide a continuous supply of wood products, aid in converting pine plantations into their natural community types, and enhance wildlife habitat.
Picnic pavillion at main trailhead
For more information contact: Wakulla State Forest Headquarters 3674 Bloxham Cutoff Road, Crawfordville, Florida 32327 (850) 421-3101 www.FloridaForestService.com
Wakulla State Forest provides a habitat to a number of different species of wildlife. These species include; gopher tortoise, red shouldered hawk, bobcat, bald eagle, rabbit, coyote, white tailed deer, fox squirrel, and bobwhite quail. Natural communities consist of upland pine-hardwood forest, dome swamp, depressional marsh, and sandhill. An outstanding example of the sandhill community is located on the Woodville Tract of Wakulla State Forest. McBride Slough is the major watershed drain through the forest. It combines with two small springs then flows under State Road 267 and joins the Wakulla River in just over a mile.
Recreation
Wakulla State Forest offers recreational opportunities such as hiking, bird watching, hunting, biking, and horseback riding, utilizing service roads and trails. The Wakulla Tract features a designated Trailwalker and Trailtrotter trails. The Nemours Hiking Trail is a 1.75 mile trail that traverses through a mixed pine/hardwood forest, pine plantation, wildlife openings, and hardwood slough. The Double Springs Multi-Use Trail is 4.5 miles in length. Riders and hikers can expect an amazing trail that will include low water crossings, inclines, and winding trails. For information on the general recreation fees or purchasing an annual pass contact the forest field office at 850-681-5950 or www.floridastateforests.org. We encourage nonhunting recreationists to check WMA regulations and season dates before visiting Wakulla State Forest during hunting season.
